Be Yourself!

This is a video I made for empowerment.

Judging By Height

Here is what I put on my Facebook page today:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/notes/katie-zumbrum/judging-by-height/141811755892393

The Importance of Prayer

I have been reading a few books on Medjugorje. It emphasizes the importance of prayer, especially the Rosary. We also have to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Many denominations (and indeed other religions) do not believe in Purgatory, so those people have no one to pray for them. The bottom line: pray. We should always be praying, for only then are we safe from the grip of Satan.

Prayed Over and God's Love

I finally figured out what I got out of being "prayed over." It was the gift of true love: I am absolutely in love with God, with Jesus, just when I thought I couldn't possibly be more in love with him. It was all I could think about when I was getting prayed over. Yesterday (April 6) I was going to eat some ice cream before 10 o'clock Mass at night. However, I did not feel like eating any ice cream. I felt a desperate, inner need to go to Mass. It could not ignore this push, so I did go to Mass. You know what the homily was about? God's love. Now, isn't that something? Let me tell you, I was sobbing inside my heart because I felt his love. Whenever life gets you down, just remember: God loves you. He loves everyone. He will never abandon us. I love you, Jesus! You are the King of my heart!

April

It's April, which means there is only a little more than a month left of my first year at college. How do I feel? Busy. It is project time now. My project for French class takes place over the final, which is always a good thing. Then I have another group project that is next week. I will be happy when this week is over. I will be happy when this month is over.

Nun Run

This weekend I went on a nun run. We visited the TOR Sisters, the Carmelites, and the Franciscans of the St. Martyr George. While I did not feel called to any of those communities, each was very beautiful. We also went to Franciscan University in Steubenville where we got to go Sunday Mass and FOP (Festival of Praise) on Saturday. FOP was my favorite part. I really cried because I felt God's love: for me and for all of us, especially when we were prayed over. Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful weekend. Even if the weather wasn't so nice.

Weekend!

I am so excited for this weekend! I am going to Ohio! I have no idea how long it will take to get there. I am excited, though. I really need a break from college life. I have not been able to see or really talk with my friends.

Just when you think it's spring...

It snows. Not only does it snow, it lays. What's up with that? It's almost April. Summer is coming soon. This is NOT what I was expecting this week, that's for sure. At least I have this weekend to look forward to, but it is not supposed to warm up all that much.

Forgiveness

Yesterday's readings were on forgiveness. We need to forgive others. If we don't, we lose the right to be forgiven. Jesus forgave the people who wanted him dead. After all, one of last few words he said was, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." So we need to forgive, as we say we will in the Lord's prayer. Forgiveness and mercy is a theme in Lent. Let us live by this.

Spring

Spring is supposed to be a nice time. Instead it has been cold this week. Spring also means finals are coming up. That, of course, translates into more papers, more homework, more projects. March is almost over. April will be here, and then before we know it, May. I hope y'all have a good spring... but I just wish it wasn't so busy.

Alabama Together for a Performance

I am a huge Alabama fan. "Angels Among Us" is my favorite song ever... right after nearly every hit song that they ever had. I found out today that Alabama performed with Brad Paisley. According to an article on CMT.com, the group got a standing ovation after singing one of their songs and they had to sing another. They did not practice another song to perform, but they did not need to. You see, Alabama first came out in the 1980s and they broke up the late 90s early 2000s. It was just like old times.

Check out Alabama's new music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBnMnvMISgw

As well as the reunion performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3xYbDH-Euo

Francis of Assisi Movie

I watched the 1961 movie about St. Francis of Assisi. I cannot help but think about how God always shows us his will. Did you know the young actress who played St. Clare became a Benedictine nun a few years after it came out. She entered an order in Connecticut. In a world that so reveres Hollywood, it is so hard to imagine that she would do that. Of course, God knew what he was doing. He always does. Dolores Hart, the girl who played St. Clare, and the girl who kissed Elvis (and her first kiss at that, with Elvis's first film debut) would become Mother Dolores Hart. So as I watched this movie, I could not help but think about the foreshadowing in the actress's life.

Trust and Truth

It can be very hard to trust someone - especially nowadays. I recall a homily from the campus chaplin from Sunday. He said a priest told him once that a society that has oaths all the times is a society of lies. We should always be truthful. If we are honest, there is no need for oaths and it is easier for someone to tell the truth. Think about it. Stop saying "I swear." Just say what you mean and mean what you say. There should be no need for "I swear" at that end of a sentence. If you are an honest person, your word will be valued over an oath. It should be, anyway. Truth builds trust.

Hanging On

Just when my life is starting to get back to normal since my laptop has been fixed, I have been having technological difficulties with one of my programs. On the bright side, I was able to charge my MP3 player and also buy some NOOKbooks (Barnes & Nobles e-books) for my freshman seminar class. So life isn't that great, but it's getting better.

It really would have been better without the wind advisory that knocked the power out a couple times on campus. But, at least with my laptop back (and not a loaner laptop) I can get back to a regular schedule with my homework and reading for classes.

Hang in there, no matter what your problems are. Things always get better.

Lineage

You know the show "Who Do You Think You Are?" Well, the show inspired me to research my family history. It is a lot harder than it looks. Of course, the stars actually go to the historical society and get help. I'm trying to do it on my own... but I think I will stop at one of the historical societies. I think an ancestor might have lived in Taneytown, MD, which is in Carroll County and not that far away from the Mount. Wish me luck.

Our Hope

I go to Mount St. Mary's University in pictureseque Emmitsburg, MD. The motto is "our hope." It is quite fitting, actually, since you definitely feel hope all around campus. It doesn't matter what is going on your life. You get a sense of hope. Maybe it's because of Mass, or Adoration, or the grotto, but one this sure: we have hope because we love God. Since those things bring us closer to God, it is easier to have hope.